Voting machine



Feb 1941- A. N. GUSTAVSON 3 VOTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 26, 1959 Z M T Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VOTING MACHINE Application December 26, 1939, Serial No. 310,896

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improvement in voting machines and particularly to interlocking mechanisms therefor.

The arrangement of controls, interlocks, etc.

in a voting machine for a general election is quite diiierent from that for a primary election. In certain election districts where it may be found desirable to simultaneously hold a general and primary election it therefore becomes necessary,

in a machine to which the present invention is applicable, to add many auxiliary parts. The installation and set up of these parts for the purpose of adapting the machine to such a combination of voting involves considerable time and expense.

Voting machines of the type under consideration are made in several sizes for the purpose of adapting them to various communities or districts. Before a voting machine is installed for use in a given election district, the size of the community, number of voters, and the possible variance in the number of voters over a period of years is ascertained in order that a machine of proper capacity may be provided. These ma- 5 chines are generally arranged with seven or more horizontal or party rows of candidate indicators. The number of indicators in each row may range from thirty to sixty, depending on the size of the machine.

To illustrate one application of use of the invention, it is contemplated to utilize the three uppermost horizontal or party rows of candidate indicators for general election purposes and the remaining four or more rows for primary election purposes. Each voting machine includes a main interlocking mechanism that may be connected with the three uppermost rows of candidate indicators through interlocking straps conventional to machines of this type. The remain- 4() ing rows of candidate indicators are connected through a diiierent type of strap with a second interlocking mechanism. By providing two interlocking mechanisms, one of which is connected with certain rows of candidate indicators and the 45 other with certain other rows of candidate in dicators, the process of setting up a voting ma chine for a combined general and primary election involves no parts in addition to those commonly used in two separate voting machines for 50 the two types of elections. As will be more fully understood from the specification, means is provided by which a number of rows of candidate indicators in the so called general election group may be increased or decreased, as may be found 55 necessary.

The objects and advantages of the present invention, therefore, he in the provision of a structure that adapts a voting machine for either primary or general elections or a simultaneous combination of these elections, together with the simplification of setting up a voting machine for these purposes.

Other objects and advantages will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with 1 the accompanying drawing; and in which:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a voting machine interlocking mechanism embodying one form of the invention, parts being broken away to disclose certain of the structural details; 15

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the relative position of two interlocks as Well as the interlocking straps therefor;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a portion 20 of one type of interlocking strap;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of another type of interloclnng strap; and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of an auxiliary interlocking strap. 25

Reference is now had to the drawing wherein the numeral I0 is employed to indicate that portion of a voting machine known as an interlocking mechanism and by means of which manipulation of interlocking straps that are connected 30 with voter manipulated candidate indicators may .be controlled. In the present modification of the invention the mechanism l0 comprises two interlocks H and I2. Suitable interlocking straps l3 project'into the interlock H and turn are 5 connected with the three topmost horizontal rows of candidate indicators on the face of a machine. The general structure of the interlock ll, interlocking straps l3, and connection with the candidate indicators is clearly illustrated in my Patent 40 #2,11D,297 and the patent to Frank Keiper #1,031,184. The interlock ll extends substantially the full width of the machine and may be supported for endwise movement or rigidly secured to the member M in any conventional manner, as by screws l5. For a clearer understanding of the invention, it is assumed that the voting machine to which the present structure is applied comprises nine horizontal rows of candidate indicators of thirty indicators in a row. The indicators of the three topmost rows are connected through straps l3 with the interlock H. It will be noted, however, in the drawing that there are four interlocking straps I3 connected with the interlock l I. The endmost strap |3A in each group of four is required on all voting machines and serves to control use of a paper ballot write-in for candidates not listed. Thus viewing the interlock II in Figure 1, there are groups of four interlocking straps spaced by four rollers. There will be thirty such groups of straps connected with this interlock, since it will be recalled the voting machine illustrated is arranged with thirty indicators per party row.

The interlock i2 is of slightly less height than interlock H but in all other respects is identical thereto. This interlock is joined in any suitable manner to interlock II and extends substantially the full width of the machine. Projecting into this interlock are straps I4. These straps are somewhat different from the straps l3 and each includes a downwardly projecting portion IS in which is an aperture ll that receives the resetting bar 16. Projecting laterally downwardly from adjacent the portion 16 is an arm [9 that terminates in a vertical portion 2| having the identical end structure of the interlocking strap l3. Both types of interlocking straps l3 and 14 are fitted with lugs 22, the purpose of which will hereinafter be more fully set forth. The straps l4 connect the interlock [2 with the candidate indicators of the remaining horizontal rows on the machine.

From the description thus far it is evident that as one views the interlocking mechanism l0 in Figure 1 of the drawing there will first be a group of four interlocking straps l3 and [3A projecting into interlock II and next a group of six interlocking straps l4 projecting into interlock l2 and this alternate arrangement of four and six straps extends throughout the length of the mechanism.

In a. general election with candidates of different parties up for election to the same office, a vote can be cast for only one of the candidates. In Figure l of the drawing grouping pins 23 serve to position certain of the rollers 24 of the interlock ll so that only one of the group of three straps i3 can be raised by manipulation of the corresponding candidate indicator on the face of the machine. It is apparent that the same measure of control over the operation of the candidate indicators in the group set aside for a general election may be had as in a voting machine set up only for a general election, rather than the combination of a general and primary election. In the event that there are only two parties involved in a general election, it will be readily understood that the last interlocking strap in each group of three in the interlock Il may be isolated by a change in position of the grouping pin 23 or other suitable means. If it becomes necessary to increase the number of party rows of candidate indicators for a general election from three to four, that is, usurp one of the rows of indicators set aside for primary voting, auxiliary interlocking straps 26 may be utilized. These straps, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawing, are attachable to the lugs 22 of straps [4. The offset portion 21 of these straps causes the enlarged blocks 28 to project into the interlock l l. Thus, in the present illustration thirty auxiliary straps 26 may be connected with thirty of the straps l4, and one of the rows of candidate indicators for use in primary elections will thus revert to use for general election purposes.

The purpose of utilizing the interlock H! for a primary election is to facilitate the addition of one or more auxiliary interlocks. The set up and voting in primary elections being more complicated, it is frequently necessary to provide auxiliary control beyond that of the interlock ii. A properly contoured auxiliary interlocking strap can be readily attached to lug 22 of strap I4 and project into a suitable auxiliary interlock that is attachable to interlock 12 in one of several ways such, for example, as indicated in my Patents #l,948,66l, and #2110297.

From the foregoing it is apparent that through the use of two or more types of interlocking straps and two or more interlocking mechanisms, it is possible to combine in one voting machine a set up enabling the use of the machine for primary or general elections or both, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications of the present disclosure are contemplated insofar as such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereunto annexed claim.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

In a voting machine having a pair of interlocks in side by side arrangement, a series of interlock straps each comprising a body portion disposed directly above a first one of said interlocks and laterally oirset with respect to a second one of said interlocks, certain of said straps reaching directly down into said first one of said interlocks, others of said straps each having a laterally inclined arm rigid with said body portion and reaching over to a position above the second of said interlocks, an enlarged end on said arm projecting into the second of said interlocks, and a resetting bar passing through aligned apertures in all of said straps and movable to operate the same.

ALVIN N. GUSTAVSON. 

